Find out whether Nucky Thompson really installed Warren G. Harding as President of the United States or whether Nucky helped Arnold Rothstein avoid prosecution for the World Series fix.
By Matt Goldstein
Did Arnold Rothstein really mentor Charlie Luciano and Meyer Lansky?
Fact! While Luciano and Lansky were still street kids running local gangs, Arnold Rothstein was already a major national crime figure especially known for gambling. In fact, Rothstein gave them their start by introducing Lansky and Luciano to many of the key crime bosses they worked with for 30 years during their reign on top. Luciano openly admitted that Rothstein taught him how to dress, act and talk with members of high society. Rothstein continued advising the mafia phenoms until being murdered in 1926 for welching on a bet.
Did Nucky, Rothstein, Luciano, Lansky, Torrio and Capone all actually work together?
Fact! Nucky Thompson, A.K.A. Nucky Johnson and Arnold Rothstein had an excellent business relationship, while Nucky, Luciano, Lansky, Capone and Torrio continued working together for another 10-12 years.
Did Jimmy Darmody plan a hit on a main Chicago crime outfit?
Not a fact! Jimmy Darmody never existed.
Did bootleggers really put poison in the illegal liquor to help make a profit?
Fact! Thousands fell victim to blindness, paralysis and death, many of which were among the urban poor. Actually, there was a Russian vodka manufacturer that accidentally killed a few people in 2007.
Did all gangsters become millionaires from bootlegging illegal liquor during prohibition?
Yes and No. Many gangsters made millions, but many went flat broke from bribing police and politicians. At one point in fact, Lansky and Luciano scaled back their operation because the political payoffs became too expensive.
Did Arnold Rothstein really fix the 1919 World Series?
Maybe. Most people seem to think Rothstein was behind the fix but many historians believe former featherweight boxing champ Abe Atell played a more significant role. Atell was actually convicted and Rothstein was not. Arnold Rothstein denied fixing the World Series until his death. We may never know.
Did the Commodore really do prison time?
Fact! Commodore Kaestner, A.K.A. Louis Commodore Kuehnle, went to prison for awarding his own firm contracts while chairman of the Water Commission. The arrest was years in the making after a major investigation at the behest of President Woodrow Wilson.
Did Nucky Thompson really make a backdoor political deal to install Warren G. Harding as President of the United States?
Not a fact! NFW!
Did the D’Alessio Brothers rob the world famous original Bookbinders restaurant in Philadelphia and murder the staff?
Not a fact! However, the Lanzetti brothers from Philadelphia, who the D’Alessio brothers are based on, terrorized Atlantic City and Philadelphia for almost two decades. The Lanzetti brothers were a major crew.
Did Arnold Rothstein really pay Nucky Thompson $1 million to avoid prosecution for the World Series fix?
Who knows! But that scene in the finale of season one where Rothstein and Thompson make a deal was pretty freakin awesome.
Did a Hasidic Jewish man teach Al Capone how to act like an adult?
Probably not a fact. But a Jew did create this web site, and that is just as cool.
.
The Downfall of Al Capone
Boardwalk Empire Fact or Fiction: Nucky Thompson, Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky and Al Capone
Boardwalk Empire Profile: Nucky Thompson Timeline
Boardwalk Empire Profile: Arnold Rothstein Timeline
Top 10 Gangsters of Prohibition: Boardwalk Empire Edition
Boardwalk Empire: The Downfall of Nucky Thomspon
.
.
.
actually most bootleggers didn’t put poison in liqour. that was the government that did that. if some bootleggers did, they were most likely work for the government. why in the world else would gangsters do that? it wouldn’t make sense. that would be cold blooded (most of them weren’t cold blooded like a lot of people think) and how would it gain profit when their customers would be dying?? i love the show but some things on it are completely exaggerated.
[Reply]
WGM Reply:
March 4th, 2012 at 6:36 PM
Of course most bootleggers didn’t put poison in the liquor, but some did to save money and sell fake liquor and pass it off as real. It was actually done in Russia couple years ago and killed a few people.
[Reply]
[...] and Jimmy Darmody. How’s about that for a prediction?. The Downfall of Al Capone Boardwalk Empire Fact or Fiction: Nucky Thompson, Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky and … Boardwalk Empire Profile: Nucky Thompson Timeline Boardwalk Empire Profile: Arnold [...]
[...] years in Miami beach. ..Boardwalk Empire Profile: Al Capone TimelineThe Downfall of Al CaponeBoardwalk Empire Fact or Fiction: Nucky Thompson, Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky and …Boardwalk Empire Profile: Nucky Thompson TimelineBoardwalk Empire Profile: Arnold Rothstein [...]
[...] of a heart attack in Italy. .Boardwalk Empire Profile: Al Capone TimelineThe Downfall of Al CaponeBoardwalk Empire Fact or Fiction: Nucky Thompson, Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky and …Boardwalk Empire Profile: Nucky Thompson TimelineBoardwalk Empire Profile: Arnold Rothstein [...]
[...] Boardwalk Empire Fact or Fiction: Nucky Thompson, Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky and … [...]
Just found this site through a Boardwalk Empire reference. Great article. But what a site!!
[Reply]
Matt Goldstein Reply:
December 9th, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Awesome! Glad you like it. Keep coming back and we’ll keep coming with the content!
[Reply]
Jay Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 8:12 PM
Hard to believe that this series did not capture any major awards. The acting was surpurb, the photography was excellent, it was well researched and written by a women to my surprise. Really under rated!
[Reply]
WGM Reply:
January 22nd, 2012 at 6:05 AM
Jay, it just proves that award shows are complete BS. For the Wire and Boardwalk Empire not to win Emmy’s or Golden Globes is completely insane.
[Reply]
Cool info, thanks! I can’t wait until next season.
[Reply]
Seriously?! Once you go to jail and become officially a criminal, thief, corrupting the political process, and most likely a murderer, The good stuff you did goes by the wayside
[Reply]
Two Gangsters who were also great business men!!
[Reply]
Great article/ thing is the Jew that created this website may just be as notorios as those discussed in a small burough outside of philadelphia known simply as BTown
[Reply]
Matt Goldstein Reply:
December 7th, 2010 at 9:54 AM
There were a lot of buffers.
[Reply]
Tim Rodgers Reply:
December 7th, 2010 at 6:29 PM
It’s amazing how much power and influence was centralized in a small location simply known as Springdale/Dunbar.
[Reply]
Matt Goldstein Reply:
December 8th, 2010 at 10:35 AM
This was a great man, a man of vision and guts. And there isn’t even a plaque, or a signpost or a statue of him in that town!
[Reply]